Homeowners Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MERSCORP Holdings?

MERSCORP Holdings, Inc. is a privately held corporation that owns and manages the MERS® System and all other MERS® products. It is a member-based organization made up of more than 5,000 lenders, servicers, sub-servicers, investors and government institutions.

What is MERS?

Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (MERS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MERSCORP Holdings, and its sole purpose is to serve as mortgagee in the land records for loans registered on the MERS® System. MERS is a nominee for the lender and subsequent buyers (“beneficial owners”) of a mortgage loan and serves as a common agent for the mortgage industry.

What is the MERS® System?

The MERS® System is a national electronic database that tracks changes in mortgage servicing rights and beneficial ownership interests in loans secured by residential real estate.

How does MERS work?

What is a servicer?

The servicer is YOUR mortgage company. It is the company that handles the day-to-day tasks associated with managing your loan. Their duties include but are not limited to:

Supervising foreclosures and property dispositions in case of defaults

After your mortgage loan closed, your lender more than likely outsourced the job of managing your loan to another company called a SERVICER. This is the company you call when you have questions about your loan.

How can I find out the identity of my servicer?

We can help! MERS® ServicerID is a free service we provide to connect you with the current servicer of your loan, if it is registered in the MERS® System. You may access it by:

MERS® ServicerID can help. Dial the toll-free number at (888) 679-6377 or click here for online access.

What information do I need to provide?

You can search for servicer information in three ways: by property address, the borrower’s name and social security number, or with the unique mortgage identification number (MIN) on the mortgage or deed of trust signed at closing. Don’t worry if you don’t know it—it’s not required. But to obtain investor (owner) information, you will be asked to verify certain identifying information and check the box that confirms you are the borrower or the borrower’s authorized representative.

Why do I need to know the identity of my servicer?

There are three reasons why you must always keep track of the identity of your servicer:

Your servicer is responsible for handling any questions you have about your mortgage loan. Payoff amount? Contact your servicer. Taxes and hazard insurance? They should have that information too. Check your payment booklet or your monthly statement. Do you see a toll-free number you can call or a website you can access?

Your servicer is also responsible for collecting your payment. To avoid late fees and potential fraud, make sure you are sending your payment to the correct servicer.

If you are unable to make the payments on your mortgage and wish to negotiate the terms of your loan, you may only do so with your servicer. Contrary to popular belief, it is your servicer and not the investor that can negotiate the terms of the loan with you.

Where can I get more information on my loan or the basics of obtaining a mortgage?

For more information and assistance on your mortgage loan, please visit one of the following websites:

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You are now leaving MERSCORP Holdings' website and entering an external website. MERSCORP Holdings cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by linked sites. Linking to a website does not constitute an endorsement by MERSCORP Holdings or any of the products presented on the site.

You are now leaving MERSCORP Holdings' website and entering an external website. MERSCORP Holdings cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by linked sites. Linking to a website does not constitute an endorsement by MERSCORP Holdings or any of the products presented on the site.